Switching mechanism



Oct. 23, 1928.

C. F. A. EDDY SWITCHING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 20, 1 2

2 SheetsSheet 2 C. F. A. EDDY SWITCHING MECHANISM Oct. 23, 1928.

Original Filed July 20, 1925 Patented Get. 23, 1928.

CHARLES F. A. ED DY, OF NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

SWITCHING MECHANISM.

Original applications filed July 20, 1923, Serial N'os. 652,809 and 652,810. Divided and this application filed March 6, 1926.

This invention relates t-oan improvement in switching mechanism.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved switching mechanism especially adapted to the control of direction indicators for motor vehicles, which will be easy and simple in operation, yet, it will effectively control the direction indicators moving the same to the required or desired positions.

This switching mechanism may be used in connection with the direction indicators shown in my applications Serial Nos. 625,809;

652,810; and 652,811, filed July 20, 1923, and

is a division of the switch mechanism shown for the purpose of illustration in said applications Serial Nos. 652,809 and 652,810.

In this switching mechanism, there are provided a plurality of single throw switches, together with a longitudinally movable spring-actuated switch, while at the same time there is also provided a flexible contact finger which is oscillated to engage a plurality of contacts when moved in one clirection, but which engages another contact when moved in the opposite direction, this being accomplished by reason of thefact that this flexible contact finger moves in one direction along one face of a contact seg ment and after reaching the end of that segment, it automatically springs over to the other side and moves back in the opposite direction on the opposite side of the contact segment.

In the accompanying drawings:.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my switching mechanism as applied to the steering column of a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the switching mechanism detached;

Fig, 3 is a vertical sectional View through the casing of the switching mechanism;

Fig. 4; is a front view of the supporting panel with the contact elements carried thereby;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the same;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the panel showing the stators carried thereby;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View through the switching mechanism, showing the face plate and flexible tongue; and

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of one of the Serial No 92,931.

cates thesteering column of a motor vehicle to which the switching mechanism is attached by means of the arm 2 and clamp 3 at the outer end thereof. A clamping seg ment 1 is detachably connected with the clamp 3 by means of the screws 5 for securing the clamp in its proper position on the steering column. The inner end of the arm 2 has attached thereto a casing 6 by means of the screws 7, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Mounted in the casing 6 is a supporting panel 8 and a face plate 9, the latter closing the front of the casing, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The casing 6 is provided with an oil-set portion 10, for the purpose of receiving the wires to be connected with the switching mechanism and an insulating plug 11 is secured to this off-set portion 10 by means of a screw 12, all of which is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The panel 8 and face plate 9 are preferably made of some suitable insulating material, and journaled in these parts is a sleeve 13, the outer end of which has two disks 14 cast integral therewith, as shown in Fig. 3, and also cast integral with this sleeve 13 is an arm 15. The face plate 9 has secured thereto a. suitable stop bar 16 provided with notches 17 therein and having lugs 18 formed on the outer ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, A lock-latch 19 is pivoted to the arm 15, as at 20, and this lock-latch is provided with a lug 21 on the inner face thereof, which is normally pressed against the stop-bar 16, in position to enter one of the notches 17 for holding the switching arm in one of its extreme or central positions. A longitudinally movable rod 22 is mounted in the sleeve 13 and a spring 23, bearing against a flange on the rod 22, normally forces this rod outwardly against an inturned lug 24: on the end of the lock-latch 19 for tending to cause the lug 21 to enter one of the notches 17 whenever it is in position to do so. A screw 25 extends into the outer end of the sleeve 13 for closing this outer end.

For the purpose of returning the switching arm 15 to its central position, as shown in Fig. 2, there is provided a sleeve 26 on each side of this arm which sleeve has a lug 27 extending beneath the stop-bar 16 and through a notch 28 therein. The sleeves 26 receive springs 29 therein, as shown in Fig. 2, and are held in place by means of set screws 30 extending through the stopbar 16. A hook 31 extends outwardly from each of the sleeves 26 and between the plates 14, formed on the sleeve 13, in position to engage a pin 32 extending through these plates on each side of the center. The hooks are so arranged that one of them will be engaged by the corresponding pin 32, whenever the handle 15 is moved in one direction, but, at that time, the other book is not moved and the pin is allowed to pass out of the hook allowing it and its corresponding sleeve 26 to retain their proper positions. Upon the release of the lug 21 from the notch 17, the spring 29 and sleeve 26 will eX- ert a sufficient pull on the pin 32 to return the handle to its central position, and in doing so, the other pin 32 will again enter the hook 31 as before. Pins extend outwardly from the face plate 9 for limiting the backward movement of the sleeves 26.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, a tongue support 34 is mounted upon the sleeve 13 by means of a set screw 35 to turn with and be turned by this sleeve 13. The outer end of the tongue support 34 terminates in divided fingers 36 between which a flexible tongue 37 is pivoted as at 38. Leaf springs 39 have their inner ends secured by means of the screws 40 to the tongue support 34, and the outer ends of these leaf springs 39 resiliently bear against the flexible tongue 37, for normally tending to hold this tongue in its central position between the fingers 36 of the tongue support.

As shown in Fig. 7, the flexible tongue 37 is normally positioned between two stators 41, which hav backward extending lugs 42 secured to the panel 8 by means of set screws 43. The outer ends of the stators 41 are provided with downturned flanges 44, which are formed diagonally on the stators, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. Carried by each of the stators 41 are two contact segments 45, which are provided with backwardly extending projections 46 for securing these contact segments to the panel 8 by means of the screws 47, and also for attaching contacting wires thereto. The outer ends of the contact segments are also provided with diagonally arranged flanges 48 corresponding to the flanges formed on the stators 41 and positioned just inside of the latter flanges. The contact segments 45 are insulated from each other and from the stator 41 by suitable insulation 49. lhe flanges 44 and 48 extend into the path of the flexible tongue 37 and are so positioned and arranged that when this tongue is moved from its central position laterally in either direction, it will pass over the flanges 48 of the contact segments 45, until it reaches the outer edge of the flange of that corresponding stator 41, when the springs 39 return the tongue 37 to its central position in the fingers 36 and upon the return movement of the arm 15 and the tongue, the latter will engage the flange 44 of the stator 41. This movement allows the closing of the circuit by the tongue 37 upon engagement with each of the flanges 48 and a third circuit upon engagement of said tongue with the flange 44.

A bar 50 is mounted upon the sleeve 13 to allow the rotation of said sleeve relative thereto and this bar 50 receives the ends of outwardly extending posts 51, which are secured to the bar 50 and the face plate 9, by means of suitable screws The posts 51 extend from the face plate 9 to the supporting panel. 8 and have their rear ends secured in this panel and connected to binding posts 53, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Mounted upon the rear of the panel 8 is a binding post 54 which extends through the panel and is connected with a raised plate having the ends thereof secured to the panel by means of this binding post 54 and a screw 56 at the opposite end thereof. This pl; e is provided with a depression 57 therein in msition to be engaged by a switch pol-e 58 which is pivoted at 59 and has the oposite end thereof extending beneath the plate turned outwardly through a slot (50 formed in the panel 8 to form an operating handle 61. A plate 62 is fixed at the pivotal point 59 and extends laterally therefrom, as shown in Fig. 4, the outer ends of the plate having switch poles and 84 pivoted thereto. The switch poles G3 and 64 are also bent outwardly at their outer ends through openings 65 and 66, respectively, to form operating handles 67 and 68. The switch pole 63 is in. position to engage a leaf contact segment (39 fixed to the panel 8 by means of a binding post 70. The switch pole 64 is in position to engage the contact segment 71 fixed to the panel 8 by means of a binding post 72. Extending through the panel 8 from the pivotal member 59 binding post 73 having an upwardly extending bar 74 connected therewith and having the end .5 thereof normally engagin and bearing a 't the sleeve 13, which extends through an opening 76 formed in the panel 8 and through which opening the plate 7 5 also extends.

A spring contact segment 7'? extents upwardly over the binding post 7 3 having its lower end secured by a suitable screw 78 to the panel 8. This contact .j mally engages the binding post '"3 but since the upper end of aid segment 77 is free, it may be moved away from the binding post 73 by means of the insulated tip 79, formed on the end of the pin 22, extending through the sleeve 13.

As mentioned above, the panel 8 and fa a: plate 9 are preferably made of some insulat- Ill) ing material while the segments carried by the panel 8 and the face plate 9 are substantially all made of some conducting material for electricity, in order to allow electric current to pass from one of the switch elements to another, the supporting elements being in manycascs used for the passage of current through the switching mechanism.

In the operation of the switching mechanism, the binding post 54: is connected with a suitable source of electrical supply and whenever the switch pole 58 is moved into engagement with the depression 57 of the plate 55, the current travels from the binding post 54 through the plate and the pole 58 to the pivotal point 59, from where it may pass by means of either of the poles 63 or 64- and the corresponding switch ele ments 69 or 71 to the binding post or 72, these being connected to any suitable part of the signalling or other mechanism which is intended to be actuated upon the throwing of the switch. Or, if the switch arms 63 and 6dare not in engagement with the switch plates 69 and 71, the current may travel through the pivotal member 59 and the binding post 73 through the plate 75 to and through the conducting sleeve 13 and the flexible tongue 37, mounted thereon, to any one of the several contacts forming a part of the stator ll. Thus, whenever the tongue 37 is moved into engagement with the first one of the flanges l8, it will close one circuit and upon continual movement into engagement with the other flange 48, it will close a second circuit, but, after this flexible tongue 37 is moved past these flanges, and allowed to return, it engages the flange ll upon its return movement and closes still a third circuit and allowing either the first two to remain closed or to allow them to open after this tongue has passed over the contact segments. The binding posts 70 and 72, as stated, may be independently connected with any electrically operated elements, in order to close circuits by means of the switch arms 67 or 68, independently of the movement of the arm 15, for closing any of the various circuits controlled by the contact flanges 44 or 48.

It is obvious that a series of internal and external contact segments may be arranged to extend around the complete circle, each period of contact performing a different funrtion and of a different duration. The number of contacts depends on the diameter of the circle. Any number of functions can thus be effected at one revolution of the contact finger, and on its return on the outer segment it would reset any operations performed on signals or lights to their normal positions, and could produce on such return even further action on such signals or lights which might be required.

I claim:

l. A stator for a switching mechanism having a downturned diagonally arranged flange formed thereon, contact segments carried y said stator and having corresponding downturned flanges formed thereon, and means for insulating the contact segments from each other and fromthe stator.

stator tor a switching mechanism l aving V a downturnod diagonally arranged flange formed thereon, contact segments having the outer ends thereof bent downward to term corresponding down-turned flanges fitted immediately behind the firstmentioned flange, and means for insulating the flanges and contact segments from each other and from the stator.

3. in switching mechanism including a casin stators mounted therein and having downturned diagonally arranged. flanges formed thereon, independent contact ments carried by aid stators and having cor respondi 1 anges formed thereon, said conta t. segments being insulated from each other and. from the stators, a pivotal shaft mounted in said casing, an arm for moving sai d shins, and an oscillatory flexible tongue carried by said shaft in position to be moved in one direction to engage the flanges of the contact se ments and after reaching the ill it of its movement that direction and being moved in the opposite direction to en the flange of the stator.

i switching mechanism including a casing, stators mounted therein having downturned diagonally arranged flanges termed thereon, contact segments carried by the stators and having corresponding flanges formed thereon, the contact segments being insulated from each other and from the stators, an oscillatory shattmounted in said casing, a handle for oscillating said shaft, a flexible tongue fired upon the shaft to be oscillated thereby and moved to engage the flan of the contact segments andst ators, springs for normally holding said flexible tongue in its central po. tion, and means for locking the handle in adyusted positior 1.

A s *itching mechanism including a casing, stators mounted therein having downturned diagonally arranged flanges posite sides of the handle, hooks in position to be engaged by the pins and springs for normally exerting a pull on the hooks to return the handle to its central position.

A switching mechanism including a casing, stators carried thereby and having inturned flanges diagonally formed thereon, contact segments carried by the stators and having corresponding flanges formed thereon, a flexible tongue in position to engage the flanges on the stators and. contact segments, a pivotal shaft for said flexible tongue, an operating; handle mounted on the shaft, :1 stop bar carried by the casing and having a plurality of notches formed therein, a locklatch pivoted to the handle and having); a lung form d thereon in position to engage the notches and hold the handle in an adjusted position.

7. A. switching mechanism including a casing, stators carried thereby and having inturned flanges diagonally formed thereon, contact: segments carried by the stators and. having corresponding flanges formed thereon, a flexible tongue in position to engage the flanges on the stators and contact 051} ments, a pivotal shaft for said 'tlcxiolc tongue, an operating handle mounted on the shaft, a stop bar carried by the casing; nd having a plurality of notches formed thercin, a lock-latch pivoted to the handle and having a lug formed thereon in position to engage the notches, and hold the handle in an adjusted position, and means for returnins; the handle to its central position upon its engagement of the lug with the notch.

8. In a switching" mechanism, the combination of a movable shaft, a tongue support mounted thereon. and h aving a forked outer end, and a flexible tongue resiliently mounted for lateral movement between the forks of said support.

9. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a movable shaft, a tongue support mounted thereon, and having a forked outer end. a tongue pivotally mounted between the forks of said support, springs carried by said support and engaging; the opposite sides of the tongue for resiliently holding said tongue in its central position, and electrical contacts in position to be engaged by the tongue.

10. A switching mechanism including a panel, a plurality of independent switcharms mounted thereon, contact segments in position to be engaged by the switch-arms, means for connecting the switch-arms to- ,o'ether, a contact plate having: a depression therein, a switch lever connected with said connecting means, and in position to engage the depression in the plate, and contact points connected with the plate.

11. A switching mechanism including; a casino. a plurality of contact segments carried thereby, binding; posts connected with the contact segments, switch-arms mounted on the panel in position to engage the contact segments, a contact bar connecting the switch arms together, binding posts connected with said bar, a switch lever pivotally connected with the bar, a contact plate mounted on the casing and receiving the contact lever, said plate having a depression formed therein in position to be engaged by the lever, and a binding post connected with said contact bar.

12. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a movable shaft, a contact mom or carried thereby, pins operatively connected with substantially opposite sides of said shaft, and sprin operatively connected with said pins for normally tending to move said shaft to central position.

13. In a switching" mechanism, the combination of an oscillatory shaft, a contact member carried thereby, plates fixed on said shaft in spaced apart relation, pins carried by the plates on substantially opposite sides of the shaft, hooks in position to be engaged by the pins, and springs for normally exerting a pull on the hooks to return the shaft to its central position.

14:. In a switchingmechanism, the combination of an oscillatory shaft, a contact mem- )(31 carried thereby, plates fixed on said shaft in spaced apart relation, pins carried by the plates on substantially opposite sides of the shaft, hooks in position to be engaged by the pins. springs normally exerting a pull on the hooks to return the shaft to its central position, sleeves for receiving the springs, means for supporting said sleeves for lateral movement, and means for limiting said latral movement.

15. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a casing, a movable shaft mounted therein, an operating handle connected with said. shaft, a stop-bar carried by the casino; and having; a notch formed therein, a locklatch pivoted to the handle in position to engage the notch and hold the handle in an adjusted position, and a spring; housed within the movable shaft for resiliently tending to move the lock'latch into the notch.

16. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a casino. a movable shaft mounted therein, an operating handle connected with said shaft, a stop-bar carried by the casing: and having a plurality of notches formed therein, a lock-latch pivoted to the handle intermediate the ends thereof in position to engage the notches and hold the handle in an adjusted position, and a spring housed within the movable shaft and connected with the end of the lock-latch for resiliently tending; to move the lock-latch into the notches.

17. In a switching mechanism. the combination. of a movable shaft, spring: actuated i'neans operatively connected with substantially the opposite sides of said shaft for normally tending to return said shaft to central position, and means for connecting said spring actuated means With said shaft in predetermined positions, only. 7

18. In a switching mechanism, the combination of a movable shaft, spring actuated means operatively connected With'substantially the different sides of said shaft for normally tending to return said shaft to central position and pins in position to engage the spring actuated means and con 10 nect said means With the shaft in predetermined positions, only.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES F. A. EDDY. 

